Diocese of Scranton Will Observe Respect Life Sunday on Oct. 1

The Diocese of Scranton will celebrate the Respect Life Sunday Mass this Sunday, Oct. 1, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton.

Most Rev. Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D., Bishop of Scranton, will be the principal celebrant and homilist. CTV: Catholic Television will broadcast the Mass live.

Students from area Catholic high schools and religious education programs will serve in various ministry roles. The choirs from Bishop Hannan and Bishop O’Hara high schools will provide music for the liturgy.

Respect Life Sunday highlights the Catholic Church’s respect for the sanctity and dignity of life from conception to natural death. It celebrates the life of the unborn, persons with disabilities, the deaf, the ill, and those in the last stages of earthly life. It reminds us of the alternatives to abortion by honoring those who have chosen adoption. The liturgy is also offered for victims of abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty.

The Mass will provide an opportunity to raise awareness about issues which the Church vigorously opposes, including embryonic stem cell research, abortion, capital punishment, and euthanasia.

Youth and young adults are encouraged to attend this liturgy. Believing that the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, the Mass will provide an opportunity to foster and develop a sense of the mission to uphold the sanctity and dignity of human life.